Bralirwa pays tribute to former employees killed during Genocide against the Tutsi

The ceremony was held at two Genocide Memorials in Kicukiro and Rubavu districts on Wednesday 26th April 2023.

Attendees included Bralirwa employees, relatives of the deceased former employees, representatives from public institutions and IBUKA, the umbrella organization of Genocide survivors.

The commemoration event commenced with a reverent tribute to the victims characterized by the laying of wreaths at a memorial monument for the slain employees at Bralirwa’s plants in Kigali and Rubavu. Subsequently, Bralirwa employees held a walk to remember heading to Genocide memorials, where commemoration talks were delivered.

At the commemoration event held at Nyanza Memorial in Kicukiro, attendees were taken through the harrowing ordeal of the Tutsis, where 3000 victims were killed in the area for innate personnality.

Amb. François Xavier Ngarambe, who delivered a talk, reminded the gathered mourners that the Genocide was the culmination of a long-term plan of the former regime, which fomented ethnic divisionism. He further implored them to shun Genocide ideology.

Pelagie Mukandinda from Kicukiro and Mukarurema Shadia from Rubavu recounted their agonizing experiences of hiding day and night until the Genocide was halted.

They emphasized that commemoration should be maintained as a crucial tool for learning from the past and standing up against evil.

Gerard Mbarushimana, the President of IBUKA in Rubavu District, expressed gratitude to Bralirwa for their unflinching support to families of former employees, stating that continued remembrance of the fallen employees was a significant milestone towards sustaining resilience, unity, and reconciliation.

Laetitia Uwera, Human Resources Director at Bralirwa urged participants to take responsibility for educating children on the country’s history. She emphasized that commemoration helps to foster strength, pave the way for prosperity and contribute to national development.

The Managing Director of Bralirwa, Etienne Saada, affirmed that the company attaches great significance to remembering the victims of the Genocide against the Tutsi, and pledged continued support to families of former employees and Rwandans in general along their journey of resilience.

Rubavu District Vice Mayor in charge of Social Affairs, Pacifique Ishimwe, commended Bralirwa for their initiative to stand in solidarity with the families of the Genocide victims, calling for such initiatives to be emulated by other companies.

Paul Rukesha, the Director General of Communication and Partnership Cooperation at MINUBUMWE, called on Rwandans, especially the youth, to fight trivialization of Genocide against the Tutsi.